17 Real Locations That Inspired Disney Movies

The story takes place 2,000 years ago and follows young Moana as she ventures to save her island. The film's director drew inspiration from several South Pacific islands and modeled Moana's island, Motunui, after Samoa.

For nearly 500 years, the Forbidden City served as China's imperial palace. It's where Disney's version of Mulan defeated the Huns, now a palace museum with the largest collection of ancient wooden structures in the world.

Pacha's village is based on the ruins in Machu Picchu. The shape of the hills in his village resemble those shading the ancient village in Cusco, Peru. Also, the emperor's name in the movie is Kuzco. Coincidence? We think not.

Much of the inspiration for rebellious Merida's home came from this 13th century Scottish castle that sits on its own island overlooking the Isle of Skye. It's one of Scotland's most-recognized landmarks.

A determined Carl ties thousands of helium balloons to his home to float to "Paradise Falls" in his golden years. His dream destination is based on Venezuela's Angel Falls, the highest uninterrupted waterfall in the world.

This stunning castle in Germany's Bavaria region is the inspiration for one of Disney's most iconic castles. The Sleeping Beauty Castle appears in the 1959 movie and also greets visitors at Disneyland.

The bayou in New Orleans is portrayed in the movie as both scary and magical, as Tiana and Naveen navigate its terrors and meet new friends in their murky depths. Guided tours of the swamp let visitors explore the real animals that live there.

Several locations in this Disney/Pixar film resemble iconic landmarks along Route 66, but the U Drop Inn—once a gas station and restaurant—was exactly replicated as "Ramone's House of Body Art" in the movie.

The antics of the Hawaiian heroine and her strange pet take place amid Kauai's lush landscape. The Kilauea Lighthouse is easily recognizable and is frequently seen in the movie.

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Courtesy Chateau de Chambord

Chateau de Chambord

"Beauty and the Beast"

This 1547 French chateau in the Loire Valley is the inspiration for the Beast's castle in both the 1991 animated film and the 2017 live action remake. The castle and stunning French formal gardens are open for tours daily.

Disney writers and producers have traveled the world searching for inspiration for their popular fairy tales. Many of the characters play out their stories among well-known—and sometimes lesser known—landmarks. Visit these castles, ruins, temples and cities ancient and new that some of Disney's most beloved movies.